ArtPrize - Winner or a loser?

I was so excited when ArtPrize came around again this year. For those of you that are not familiar with ArtPrize, it is a massive art competition that goes on in our city. Art exhibits are set up throughout different neighborhoods in businesses, museums, and various outdoor locations.  One of the great things about it is that it is a family-friendly event! The girls and I had a head start and went to the Gardens the first day of the event to see what they had to offer. I actually got a good response from Amelia, when several pieces of art caught her eye and excited her.

After seeing Amelia's response and seeing my friends' Facebook pictures of their kids posing happily in front of the artwork,  I couldn't wait for our family night. We bypassed a planned Saturday morning outing, thinking we would take advantage of the 70+ degree temperatures they were predicting later that week instead (a very BIG mistake on our part).  We decided to head out on a Tuesday night, so I got out of work a little early. The plan was for me to pick up the girls from daycare and head to the restaurant before Brian got there, so that the food would be ready by the time he arrived and we could quickly eat. However, the girls were excited to have me pick them up from daycare, so they had to show me all their artwork and the new toys in their respective rooms. By the time we arrived at the restaurant, Brian was pulling up at the same time.  By the time we finished dinner and found a parking spot (i.e. free parking spot), it was close to 6:20 pm. 

We first headed to the presidential museum where they had some sculptures outdoors.  We let the girls out of the stroller (another mistake on our part, but it is pretty unreasonable to keep a 3 and 4 year old in a stroller - notice Allison's subtle display of discomfort and of the utter humiliation of being placed in a stroller). 

The girls did well for about five minutes.

Then Allison got that look on her face. She has been testing her limits and likes to see what she can get away with.  As I had her pose in front of this entry...

...Allison decided it would be very funny to go into the midst of the glass hands and she proceeded to give me "the look" - indicating that she was just about ready to take off running.  Amelia decided to join in on the action. You can only image the look of horror I had on my face as I realized I had two kids on the verge of being the "bulls in a china shop."  Just as a hiker would slowly back away from a bear, I slowly inched my way towards the girls, afraid that any sudden movement on my part would cause us to be "that family that broke a piece of art."  Amelia quickly picked up on my evil look and hightailed it out of the display.  As I inched my way towards Allison, I "guided" her by her neck to the back of a fountain which was close by and it was there where we had a little heart-to-heart talk.  After a few threats of promptly going home, Allison shaped up and was a willing ArtPrize participant.

Once peace was restored and after a quick walk through the museum itself, I started to head to the next location. However, Brian was ready to head back toward the car since it was already nearing 7:00 pm by then (did I mentioned I wanted to go on Saturday morning when we didn't have to worry about bedtime).  I demurely and patiently explained to him that I didn't go through all this trouble to go to ArtPrize for a half hour, not to mention using our Groupon for dinner! I was not going to let this "family fun" event end. So, I steered the group towards some more outdoor locations close by. Surprisingly we didn't get much of a reaction from the girls from the exhibits, especially from the monkeys on the bridge.  How could you not like hanging monkeys? 

After that, I finally cried uncle and pouted - I mean suggested that we start walking to the car.  As we started our power walk to the distant parking lot, the girls suddenly became interested in all the pieces we were walking by and they wanted us to stop in order so they could appreciate the various nuances of the artwork.  Sorry kids - too little, too late.

So, next year I'm thinking about boycotting family night and hiding my friends on Facebook who have good kids that actually behave at ArtPrize.  Sorry Amy, it's nothing personal. It's only a three-week hiatus.

ArtPrize family fun night was not a complete loss - at least I got one good picture out of the deal.